1.Black Bean Noodles

Umami Asian Kitchen

All diners have at some point experienced the intensity that somehow eludes definition: that enigmatic fifth taste known as umami. And Umami Asian Kitchen lives up to its unique name. “Every meal here at Umami has a distinctive taste and is freshly made to order,” says Steven Sanders, the owner of the new addition to the Twelve Oaks Shopping Center. One such dish worthy of sinking your chopsticks into is their black bean noodles. The key to unlocking these flavors is the heat, both in terms of the temperature and the spice. All stir-fry and noodle selections at Umami are quickly seared in a wok at a temperature of 700 degrees to lock in color, nutrition and freshness. The chefs create this popular entree by combining crushed black beans, ample chunks of red bell peppers, stalks of bok choy cabbage and slivers of flavorful onions and scallions: all stir-fried together with thin, tender yet firm rice noodles. You may also request that they toss in some chicken, tofu, beef or shrimp. And voila, noodle nirvana!

5500 Abercorn Street, 912.692.1411, Iwantmyumami.com

2. Jerk Fish Tacos

Barberitos

As you anxiously peer over the preparation counter at the new Barberitos, in Habersham Village, ready to place your order, every tempting taco topping waiting on the other side has one thing in common—it’s fresh! Fridays are particularly special at Barberitos because it marks the only day you can order their soon-to-be-famous jerk fish tacos. Generous tilapia filets (delivered fresh that morning) are coated in Barberitos’ own brand of spicy jerk seasoning then placed on the sizzlin’ hot grill. Depending upon your desire for “heat,” you may also wish to top off your creation with one of their four homemade sauces, including chipotle hot sauce, Southwest vinaigrette, chipotle ranch or regular ranch. According to manager Daniel Polk, “Our Fish Fridays will definitely keep you coming back for more. We have a group of regulars who return every Friday just for these jerk fish tacos.” 4525 Habersham Street, 912.349.6750, barberitos.com

3. Spicy Tuna Tar Tar

Tangerine Fusion and Sushi Bar

Tangerine’s signature Spicy Tuna Tar Tar appetizer is a towering, tantalizing treat for both the eyes and the palate. The chef begins by placing several wafer-thin slices of cold, crisp, juicy Asian pear in a decorative fan design on the plate. To this he adds a bed of wakame seaweed salad. The middle layer is a marvelous mixture of fresh sushi grade tuna chunks and soft, fleshy cubes of tree-ripened avocados, covered in a layer of Sriracha sauce. This distinctive hot sauce was named after the seaside city of Si Racha in central Thailand. The dish is artfully topped with matchstick-thin slivers of crunchy, fried crabsticks and drizzled with wasabi. “The inspiration for this dish came when I took my wife on a trip to Hawaii. These were all ingredients we experienced when we were there in the Pacific Rim,” says owner Sean Tran. 11215 Abercorn Street 912.920.5504, tangerinefusion.com